Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

APPENDIX II: BENINESE GOVERNMENT COMMENTS__________________________________________________________________________instruments of the African Union Convention on Preventing and CombatingCorruption, which was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003.Moreover, from 2000 to 2003, Benin participated actively in the negotiations, underthe aegis of the United Nations (UN), on the United Nations Convention onCorruption and the United Nations Convention on Organised Transnational Crime,which also deals with corruption. It has already ratified both.Internally, the „green march‟ against corruption of the head of state in July 2007marks a decisive stage in the Beninese authorities‟ determination to eradicate thisscourge.Within the framework of the pedagogy of example and virtue in the top structures ofthe state and at all levels, in terms of ethics and republican morality, the governmenthas adopted an operational charter to which each minister subscribes on his or herassumption of duty. This charter prescribes incorruptibility and the good governanceof public affairs. The constitution contains provisions on the declaration of propertyby ministers when they assume office and at the end of their ministerial function.Structures put in place to fight corruption include (notably) the NationalOrganisations Front for the Fight against Corruption (FONAC) and the Observatoryon the Fight against Corruption (OLC).A National Anti-corruption Day has been instituted by the government, which plansto introduce civic education into the school programme.Audits have been conducted in all ministries, as well as in major public enterprises.Some of those responsible for misappropriating funds have been sanctioned, whileothers are awaiting trial.The creation of the General State Inspectorate (IGE) constitutes progress in theestablishment of a mechanism for controlling the management of public funds. It hasalready had perceptible effects on the psychology of state agents.1.6.5 The fight against money launderingAs part of the fight against money laundering, the legal framework in force is inconformity with the harmonised legal and regulatory environment envisaged by theWAEMU countries. In fact, Uniform Law 2006-14, relating to the fight againstmoney laundering, was approved by the National Assembly and promulgated by thepresident of the republic on 31 October 2006. It provides, notably, for theestablishment of the Financial Information Processing Unit (CENTIF), which istasked with collecting and processing financial information as well as furtheringinternational cooperation in this field. CENTIF was created by means of Decree2006-752 of 31 December 2006. In order to make it operational, the appointment ofits members is taking place on a continuous basis.400